Tesco has recalled a popular salad product amid concerns it may be contaminated.
The UK supermarket chain has recalled its Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad (215g).
Shoppers are being warned not to eat the product and instead to return it to stores immediately.
Shoppers warned ‘do not eat’ Tesco salad due to recall
Tuesday 25 August – Tesco recalls Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad because of possible contamination with E. coli (STEC) #FoodAlert https://t.co/UxQkX5CUAA pic.twitter.com/CnnzLBGs27
— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) August 25, 2026
The salad could be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC), which can cause illness if eaten.
The recall applies to products with use-by dates of August 25, August 26, and August 27.
“If you are a customer and have bought one of the affected products listed above, please do not eat the 215g salad.
“Instead, they are urging shoppers to return the salad to their nearest store where a full refund will be issued.”
Customers do not need a receipt to receive a refund for the affected product.
STEC is a group of bacteria that can cause severe foodborne illness by releasing dangerous poisons called Shiga toxins into the body.
Symptoms caused by STEC include severe diarrhoea with or without blood in the stool.
You can also experience abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration if you become affected by this illness too.
Sometimes STEC can lead to haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a serious condition which can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should not go to work, school or nursery until all your symptoms have stopped for at least 48 hours to avoid passing the illness on.
Tesco has confirmed that no other products are affected by the recall.
Customers seeking further information or support have been directed to visit tesco.com/help/contact.
Those needing to locate their nearest Tesco store can use the store locator tool available at tesco.com/store-locator/.
The supermarket giant has apologised for any inconvenience caused.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: “If you have bought the above product, do not consume it.
“Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund.”
What is a product recall?
If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued, which provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.
Have you had to return a product due to a recall before? Let us know in the comments.